International town crier competition comes to Limestone City

Kingston’s core will soon be filled with the buoyant company of criers – town criers, that is.

In full regalia, nearly 35 of the world’s best will descend on the city to carry out an ancient practice in the World Invitational Town Crier Competition, a first for Kingston. Criers will be hailing from the United States, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and a number of countries in Europe.

Kingston’s own Town Crier and Goodwill Ambassador, Chris Whyman, is the reigning world champion from a tournament that happened in Chester, England, in 2010. It’s a competition Kingston is using as a model for its own proceedings.

Town crier championships happen often, both regionally and nationally, but on an international level, it’s rare.

“A committee of people decided that it would be really cool to see Chris compete on home soil and see what happens at these town crier championships, because we’re so proud of what Chris does, and we’d like to see what the rest of the world has to offer,” said Alex Amodeo, projects manager for Downtown Kingston!.

The competition is happening Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 with three rounds of public competitive cries. Their first competitive cry will happen on Aug. 2 in Confederation Park and the final cries will be heard on Aug. 5 in Market Square.

When the town criers are out and about at public events, devouring Kingston’s delights, they’ll be dressed in full costume. Most criers will be accompanied by their wives who will be dressed head to toe in time period garb.

For nearly three decades Whyman has been ringing the bell loudly, clearly pronouncing “Oyez, Oyez,” as he demands silence and attention before delivering an announcement. He was also part of the committee to help organize the event and bring the competition home.

“It was a chance for me to showcase what I’ve been telling the world about over the last 29 years at competitions elsewhere,” said Whyman. “It was a chance for me to really let all of those criers know what Kingston has to offer and to actually prove that what I said was right.”

From what the summer has presented so far, there’s a good chance a sweltering sun will be beating down in those early days of August. Scorching temperatures that may make walking around in costume a pinch uncomfortable.

“It’s really hot,” said Whyman. “On the shoulders, it’s where the heat really builds up because it’s right against your body. It’s holding all of that weight.”

With the competition approaching, Whyman has his own way of preparing.

“I work almost every day doing it,” he said. “When you get close to a competition, you really don’t want to practice. You just want to keep your vocal chords warmed but not overused.”

Whyman describes the competition as a “loud public speaking contest,” where the criers are judged on diction, timing, confidence, poise and bearing. They’re also judged on the content of their cry. Aside from the competition itself, it’s also an opportunity for the other criers to represent the places they come from.

“You’ll find 35 of the most gregarious people you’ll ever meet, including their spouses,” he said.

For more information on the event and a list of dates and times, visit kingstoncanada.com/en/events.